Fluctuation Conductivity in Mesoscopic Superconductor - Normal Metal Contacts

TL;DR

This paper analyzes fluctuation conductivity in mesoscopic superconductor-normal metal contacts above T_c, revealing the roles of Aslamazov-Larkin and Maki-Thompson corrections in different contact configurations.

Contribution

It provides a detailed theoretical analysis of fluctuation conduction corrections in NSN and SNS contacts, highlighting their different behaviors near T_c.

Findings

Both corrections diverge as T approaches T_c^* in NSN contacts.

Aslamazov-Larkin correction vanishes in SNS contacts.

Maki-Thompson correction is significant in SNS contacts shorter than the phase-breaking length.

Abstract

The fluctuation conduction of NSN and SNS contacts above T_c are analyzed. For NSN contacts, both Aslamazov-Larkin and Maki- Thompson corrections to the conduction are found to be of the same order and diverge for T_c^* < T_c according to the law (T - T_c^*)^-1. For SNS contacts, the Aslamazov - Larkin correction vanishes,while the Maki - Thompson correction is essential for contacts shorter than the phase-breaking length.